Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-03
OUTSIDE THE LIMITS.

amt you ashamed OF yOurSell I'd Do Iouuu
lettering in the streets at this hour of the
day? Go home now or I'll take you. to
the lookup" said sturdy guardian of
the peace to thinly -clad girl lingering
in the doorway of large Office building
on La Sale street.
'sI wasn't doing any harm, sir. / only
wanted TO get warm" she retorted, crouch
ing back into the doorway as gust of
wind whirled the snow into her face.
"Nice place to get warm! Come along,
I'll take you where it is warm enough"
said he, laying his hand roughly on her
arm.
With a frightened cry she jerked her
arm from his hold and ran swiftly away.
swell, I'll be beat" be mutters, and
opens the door from which he has driven
the girl, and warns his hands over the
register.
The girl meanwhile continues to run,
occasionally looking back to see whether
she is pursued. In turning corner she
comes in forcible contact with a belated
pedestrian. He looks at her in astonish-
ment as she raises her eyes to his face
and murmurs an apology. He is evil
IDENTIFY of benevolent turn of mind, as
he stops to inquire into the cause of her
apparent fright.
''I was only standing in a doorway, sir,
trying to get away little from the wind,
and they told me to leave. That is all,
sir.'
"Have you no home to which to go to ~
eyes, sir, have home, but want to
earn some money before / &C there to-
night"
81 understand" he returns thoughtful
ly. cit is really too bad, too bad. But
come with me. Perhaps L can help
YOU"
They welk rapidly for about block,
when he pounces abruptly before pc
liceman, tramping his rounds with much
vigor to keap his blood in circulation in
the frosty air.
CT met this girl on La Sale street, near
Washington street. She seems to have
no place to 90. You had better take her
90 the police station t,rsheIter. It is a
p5pity that she should thcow herself away
: IN The streets. She seems very young.
Here is nay card" says the good Semari-
tan.
The policeman looks at the card, &C.
knowledges the introduction of the good,
great Tin averdupois) man with. t8as long
as such gentlemen as you live, sir, we will
be able to dispense charity to good eff
fect," and turning to where the girl had
been standing, he stares In amazement,
and, muttering an apology to the gentle
man, starts in pursuit
"As thought; a professional beggar,"
murmurs the man of good Intentions, as
he swings himself on passing ear.
The policeman soon loses sight of the
girl, and to warm himself steps into a
brilliantly lighted saloon aud inbibes
freely of warming liquors, receiving with
becoming resignation the COMMUNICATING
comments of the customers of the place
az his unfortunate position in that bitter
ly cold weather.
Meanwhile the girl has continued her
course northward and crossed the Wells
street bridge. Exhausted, she Fingers at
The entrance Of the Northwestern railway
depot. AS no one seems to observe her
she ventures into the waiting-room and
warns her blue, cold fingers by the regis
ter.
A lady in rich attire views her distgust-
fully, and gathering up her parcels walks
to another part of the room. The ckild
watches her curiously with her large,
dark, sunken eyes and a defiant tear
rolls down the thin, sallow cheeks. With
a swift, nervous movement she wipes it
away with handful of her dark hair,
which hangs in tangled masses over her
back and shoulders, giving her a strange,
uncanny appearance.
small, silk purse lying on the floor
catches her eyes, and the CLEAN of the
gold and silver within Is tempting. She
picks Ii up, and, walks to the lady, who
had evidently dropped it when she chang
ed her seat at the time the little vagrant
came near the register. She looks up at
the girls approach and, seeing the purse
in her hands, arises hastily and snatches
it from her.
"My purse" she says, shortly, but adds,
as if somewhat ashamed of herself:
Thank you," and turns to a gentleman
approaching her and bids him a smiling
good evening. The girl fingers in their
vicinity a moment and timidly lays herr
hand on the lady arm. She turns ina
patiently, and says with shiver of dis
gust: go away, you wretched little beg
gar" One OF the depot policemen hears
the remark and roughly orders the girl
to leave the premises.
She hurries away, and after running
some blocks turns down side street.
Size looked at the sky now clear and blue
and studded with innumerable stars.
"You are cruel" she says, shaking her
head reproachfully, and as she hears foot
steps advancing, she turns abruptly and
runs.
A young woman, walking just in front
of the terrified child, makes a misstep
and is precipitated into a snow drift at
the edge of the sidewalk
The girl extends her hands to assist |
the other to rise.
"Thank you, Child" says a pleasant
voice. "Why, you have no gloves on!
How cold your hands are A small bunch |
of icicles Here, run away and buy your
self pair of mittens if you have none,"
and she slips a coin into the child's hand. |
andeontinues on her way.
The little homeless one stops under the
lamp post to examine her treasure. "a
half dellar!n she exclainls, and the weary